PARENTS NEWSLETTER TERM 3 WEEK 5 25 August 2017

Maranatha Christian School 180 Hill Road, Belmont, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand

T 565 0749 F 565 0747 E office@maranatha.school.nz W maranatha.school.nz

Dear Parents/Caregivers, Spring is slowly making itself felt with earlier sunrises and later sunsets. We trust that the worst of the winter chills, colds and sniffs are behind us. On Thursday we had the third consultation meeting with our Māori whānau. It is such a pleasure to engage together on issues which are of particular interest to our Māori community. These meetings have been characterised by food, fellowship, laughter and serious discussion. We do so appreciate being able to work through and develop initiatives in our school which benefit our students. Mr Viljoen took two basketball teams to the Central Zone Basketball competition held at the Walter Nash Stadium in Lower Hutt. It was a very enjoyable morning and Mr Viljoen reported back to say that the teams had played very well and that he was very proud of the way they had conducted themselves.

While our Basketball players were away, Mr Farrand and Mrs Stevens set the remaining Kiwi, Ruru and Kereru students a technology challenge in which the students were divided into twelve groups, given a variety of materials and challenged to build marble runs. There were twelve criteria for success. Half were construction related and the other half related to how well the groups worked as teams. This challenge reflected great tuakana-teina (relationship between older and younger students) as they worked together sharing skills and learning from one another.

I had a fun morning visiting the four-year-old children at Discovery Early Learning Centre this week. This is part of our transition programme designed to make the transition from Kindy or Pre-school to Primary, as smooth as possible. I read to the group and did an action song with them. They responded by singing to me in Te Reo and English. I was impressed that the children were also able to thank me in Sign Language. God Bless In His Service Nicky Heyns

“Whatever you ask

for in prayer,

believe that you

have received it,

and it will be

yours.”

Mark 11:24

Mark your Calendar Tuesday, 29 August Assembly, 2.00 pm. Kereru presenting.

Friday, 1 September PTA Book Sale & “Dress up as Book Character” day.

Monday, 4 September School Swimming starts

Wednesday, 6 September Closing date for Scholastic Book Club orders

Tuesday, 12 September Assembly 2.00 pm. Kiwi & Kakariki presenting.

Thursday, 14 September Health Consultation evening, 7.00—8.30 pm

Wednesday, 20 September MCS Got Talent Seniors Final

Thursday, 21 September MCS Got Talent Juniors Final

Thursday, 21 September Wearable Arts evening, 7.00—8.30 pm

Tuesday, 26 September Welcome Assembly

Friday, 29 September Last Day of Term 3

Monday, 16 October First Day of Term 4

Friday, 15 December Last Day of Term 4

Swimming Lessons at Stokes Valley Pool

Swimming lessons are coming up very soon! A more detailed information sheet will be sent home shortly.

Monday, 4 September—Thursday, 7 September (full school) Friday, 8 September (Kereru & Kotare classes only—Water Safety)* Monday, 11 September—Thursday, 14 September (full school) Friday, 15 September (Kereru & Kotare classes only—

Water Safety)* (* Water Safety for Kereru & Kotare: $15 will be charged to your account. )

Nut Free at Maranatha

Maranatha has now become a Nut Free

environment due to a number of students with

severe/life threatening allergies.

We ask that any food items containing nuts remain

at home.

Refer to the Special Bulletin sent home via email

yesterday and re-attached to this Newsletter for

more specific information. Thank you for keeping our kids safe!

The Board had a lengthy meeting last week where we covered a range of issues and got some significant updates - on Communities of Learning (CoL), property work, student achievement, policy and the uniform progress in particular.

Casual Vacancy A casual vacancy has occurred on the Board of Trustees for an elected parent representative. The board has resolved under under section 105 of the Education Act 1989 to fill the vacancy by selection. If ten percent or more of the eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held. Any eligible voter who wishes to ask the board to hold a by-election should write to: Sanjay Bhawan (Chairperson) Board of Trustees Maranatha Christian School P O Box 30438 Lower Hutt 5010 By 26 September 2017

BOT update The Board had a lengthy meeting last week where we covered a range of issues and got some significant updates - on Communities of Learning (CoL), property work, student achievement, policy and the uniform progress in particular.

Mid-year Student Achievement Data We also discussed at length the mid-year student performance data, and intervention plans to improve our student outcomes. As you know, the student achievement is a core part of the Board’s function, and we are pleased with the direction we are heading in and the interventions that are planned to strengthen these results further.

Communities of Learning The BoT made a decision to join the Lower North Island Christian Schools Community of Learning (CoL). A Community of Learning (KahuiAko) is a group of schools that work together to help learners achieve their full potential. There are currently 197 Communities of Learning spread throughout New Zealand, with 1630 schools, 184 early learning services and 4 tertiary providers part of a Community of Learning involving more than 551,000 students. Once our application is approved by the Ministry of Education, our CoL will include Cornerstone Christian School, Hastings Christian School, Longburn Adventist College, Palmerston North Adventist Christian School, Ponatahi Christian School and Totara College of Accelerated Learning. The CoL is led by Peter Ferrar who is the Principal of Cornerstone. The CoL gives schools the opportunity to share strengths, learn from each other and ultimately impact student achievement. The BoT opted for a faith based CoL has it lined up more directly with our purpose as a Christian School and special character. We may formally join a local CoL at a later date if that is helpful for our students’ achievement. At the moment the local relationships with schools are ongoing and continuing to strengthen, without the formal mechanism. For more information about CoLs check out:

https://education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/col/

School docs We made a decision earlier this year to move to School Docs – which is an online policy and procedure service for schools. With the sterling help of Susanna Gilfillan we have managed to move all our policies and procedures into this new tool. The tool will enable us to always be compliant with changing legislation and will ensure that everyone has the ability to comment on policies. The tool will be up and running in the very near future and we will advise you of the link so you can take a look. In the meantime, for more information go to:

http://www.schooldocs.co.nz/

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School uniform update The uniform committee has been working closely with NZ Uniforms to address a range of issues including cost, availability of sizes and design changes. After a year with the new uniform it was timely for a review. Thank you to all the parents that have given the committee feedback on the uniform. As a result of a review by the Uniform Committee (Steve Farrand (Principal), Nadine Kilmister (BOT), Sheree Fletcher (staff/parent), Phillippa Thomas (parent rep), Rachel Lesicki (MFB)) we have confirmed that the core compulsory uniform items, all year round are: BOYS: blue short sleeved shirt, cargo shorts, blue socks with red bands, red long sleeve fleece, sunhat. GIRLS: white short sleeved shirt, tartan skort, white ankle socks, red long sleeve fleece, sunhat. Optional items for summer are: Blue short sleeve fleece vest, bucket sunhat (juniors only). Optional items for winter are: Blue long sleeved shirt (boys), White long sleeved shirt (girls), blue short sleeve fleece vest, blue tights or under the knee socks (girls), cargo trousers (boys), beanie. All shirts can be worn tucked in or out. Shirts – logo and fabric The committee identified the need to remove the colour embroidery from the pocket of the shirts to aid washing (eliminate colour run issues) and to make the pocket useable. In order to achieve this, a white ‘MCS’ logo on white shirt for girls and blue “MCS” logo on blue shirt for boys will sit above the pocket. The existing shirts with the red and blue logos can be worn up to and including 2020, so that students get good wear from what they have already purchased. The ‘stiff’ shirt fabric for the girls shirt did not match our original samples that the committee signed off on, so is now being replaced with a softer fabric. New items We have introduced three new items this year based on parental feedback – cargo trousers, beanie and the vest. Coming soon – bucket hats for juniors! Donating your old uniform This is the last term of the old style uniform. Please plan ahead to purchase the new style. The exceptions are 2017 Year 6 and Year 8 leavers. We are working with a couple of African donation agencies around how we can donate uniforms to children in need (many children are unable to attend school simply because they do not have a uniform) – please bring your old uniform items to the office so we can store, ready to send early next year.

http://maranathachristianschool.nzuniforms.com/ or visit the store at 92 High Street, Lower Hutt

Second-hand new style uniforms The PTA have a Facebook page that you can use to buy and sell uniform items –check it out! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1779337688747536/

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Having fun at lunchtime!

Life Award Certificates

Congratulations to last week’s LIFE Award winners:

Elijah K - Excellence John S - Faith Melchor (MJ) R - Faith Cassia E - Integrity Elise N - Integrity Lucas R - Faith Katrina S - Excellence Thomas Mc - Integrity Thandi N - Faith Zane D - Excellence Lainee F - Excellence Raphy S - Integrity Tristen H - Excellence Zach P - Love Harry R - Love

Maranatha’s own Wearable Arts Show!

When: Thursday 21 September Where: St Oran’s College Time: 7.00—8.30pm The children are busy planning and creating their masterpieces which will culminate in our very own Wearable Arts Showcase! This ties in with our theme this term:

“God is creative” Wanted: Newspapers & 2litre (clean) plastic milk bottles—bring to the office.

Save the date!

Kakariki class made Tacos as part of their reading to follow instructions—

yum!

Scholastic Book Club

The next Scholastic Book Club brochure will be sent

home on Monday, 28 August.

The closing date for orders

will be Wednesday, 6 September.

SPECIAL BULLETIN

SEVERE/LIFE THREATENING FOOD ALLERGY

We have children with severe and life threatening allergies to nuts attending Maranatha Christian

School. If these children come into contact with nuts or nut products, touch nut residue left on sur-

faces or even are in close contact with people who have the smell of nuts on their breath, they could

have a life threatening allergic reaction. The school needs to take every practical precaution to avoid

such reactions and to keep these children safe.

As a community of God, we are called to respond practically, with compassion, understanding and

sensitivity to the needs of others. In our safe and inclusive environment we recognise and respect the

uniqueness of every individual as made in the image and likeness of God.

To address this issue Maranatha Christian School is becoming an official ‘Nut Free’ Zone.

To reinforce this new position, effective immediately…

Parents / Caregivers are asked to:

Ensure that children do not brings peanuts, peanut butter, muesli bars, cashew nuts and Nutella

sandwiches and other foods containing nuts to school.

Ensure that children who have consumed nut containing food items before coming to school (such

as Peanut Butter) brush their teeth and wash their hands thoroughly before they leave home.

School staff will be:

Continuing to monitor students while eating lunch, being mindful of these new measures and in-

forming parents if their child/ren bring nut products to school.

Continuing to encourage all children to wash their hands after they have eaten.

Discouraging children from sharing or swapping food.

Making children aware of how we can help each other and keep each other safe.

Ensuring signage is placed around the school to reinforce our new ‘nut free’ message.

We realise that many food products state on their packaging “may contain traces of peanuts or nuts”.

Provided that nuts are not an ‘actual ingredient’ then there is no problem with your child bringing

these food items to school.

We will continue to regularly monitor these measures.

We appreciate your understanding and support with this matter.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or the school office.

In His love

Steve Farrand

Principal

Alternative Food Ideas Snack Ideas:

· Fruit

· Vegetables (carrot sticks, cucumber, sliced pepper, snow peas)

· Dried Fruit (raisins, sultanas, apricots, cranberries)

· Nachos/Tortillas

· Popcorn

· Pretzels

· Cheese (Sticks, cubes….)

· Salami sticks

· Olives

· Rice crackers

Sandwich ideas…...

· Ham and Cheese (and mustard/aioli/mayo)

· Cream cheese and Jam/Honey

· Pizza spread and grated cheese

· Roasted Vegetables with cream cheese

· Ham, pineapple slices, and cream cheese

· Cucumber, and cream cheese

· Turkey, cheese, and cucumber

· Turkey, cheese, and apple slices (nice on a cinnamon raisin bagel)

· Ham, Swiss cheese, and honey mustard

· Turkey, feta, and sprouts/dried cranberries

· Tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella

· Brie, pear slices, and honey

· Turkey and mashed sweet potatoes

· Apple butter and cheddar cheese (yummy on raisin bread)

· Chicken, avocado slices, and Cheese

· Smoked salmon, cream cheese (and cucumber slices)

· Sliced hard-boiled egg, cheddar cheese, and sliced tomato

· Shredded chicken, and mayonnaise

· Banana, and shredded coconut

· Sliced chicken, avocado, shredded and lettuce

· Turkey bacon, lettuce, and tomato with guacamole spread

o USING A VARIETY OF BAGELS, WRAPS and BREADS lends to Variety

PTA NEWS

Books will be set up in the hall. Children will be able to buy during

the school day. Parents can buy pre-school and adult books after

school.

Book Character Day

No witches, goblins or anything that will go against our special

character please.

Public Notices

Thinking of Selling? Talk to Tony! Tony Pitiroi has been gifting $250 from every house he sells to Maranatha over the past two years—we are truly blessed to have received these gifts. Please give Tony a call on 021 562 564 if you are considering selling.

Thank you Tony!

MCS Got Talent …. coming up…

Wednesday, 30 August Seniors Round 2 Thursday, 31 August Juniors Round 2 Wednesday, 6 September Seniors Quarter Final Thursday, 7 September Juniors Quarter Final Wednesday, 13 September Seniors Semi Final Thursday, 14 September Juniors Semi Final Wednesday, 20 September Seniors Final

Health Consultation Evening

When: Thursday, 14th September, 7.00—8.30 pm

Where: Maranatha School Hall

What: To discuss and talk through the “Keeping Ourselves Safe” (KOS) Programme which will be presented to all the children as part of our Health Unit in Term 4. Constable Mark McCaffrey (“Blue”) will give an outline of the programme with an opportunity for parents to ask questions. We will also take this time to share and seek feedback on our wider Health Programme.

We encourage at least one parent from every family to attend this evening.

Save the date!